testatus Latin · revision 34468

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=81–43 BC, Cicero|origins=la testis}}

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''testātus''' (feminine testāta, neuter testātum, comparative testātior); first/second-declension adjective^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ Used as an adjective, it is the participle [[der|la|testor|t=to call to witness, bear witness]].^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) De Vaan thinks the verb was derived directly from [[m|la|testis|t=witness]], which he reconstructs as [[itc-pro|*tri-sto/i-]], with the generally accepted original meaning “third standing by”, from [[ine-pro|*trito-sth2-o-]].^(de Vaan 2008) He compares [[osc|trstus|t=witnesses]] and [[sga|triss|t=third]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Köbler records it first in Cicero,^(Köbler 2010) who in the Verrines wants a matter to be as clear and as well attested as possible (''quam maxime clara et testata'').^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Its classical sense is known on good evidence, well attested: Cicero uses it several times, Hirtius of making the punishment of wrongdoers better known, and Nepos, Ovid and Valerius Maximus also have it.^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913) Augustine uses the superlative ''testatissimus'' of wonders that were fully attested.^(Georges 1913) In the jurists, as the counterpart of [[intestātus]], it describes a person who has left a valid will, as in Ulpian.^(OLD 2012) Niermeyer gives a medieval sense relating to a gift made on account of death.^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of a matter that is well attested.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 50 BC – Hirtius uses the comparative of a punishment made better known.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * before 223 AD – Ulpian uses it of a person who has made a valid will.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 354–430 AD – Augustine uses the superlative of attested wonders.^(Georges 1913)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Known on good evidence, well [[m|en|attest|alt=attested]], [[m|en|evident]].^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913)

+ # ''(law)'' Of a person, having left a valid [[m|en|will]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' Relating to a gift made on account of death.^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}